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Alex Pereira secured the vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 295 after a relentless assault on Jiri Prochazka. With a riveting finish in the second round, Pereira marked his ninth victory in just 11 MMA fights, making him a two-division champion.
The fight opened with Pereira strategically targeting Prochazka's lead leg, leaving visible bruises and swelling. Prochazka, however, attempted to counter with a takedown, unleashing a series of elbows on the ground. Pereira, showing resilience, scrambled back to his feet before the first round concluded.
As the second round commenced, Prochazka pressed forward with powerful punches, aiming to challenge Pereira. Yet, Pereira skillfully stepped back and delivered a left hook that dropped Prochazka to the canvas. What followed was a relentless barrage of punches and elbows, culminating in a stoppage at 4:08 in the second round, crowning Pereira as the new two-division champion.
Addressing the controversy surrounding the stoppage, Pereira commented,
“I’m not surprised. After the first left hook and another one, he fell down to my legs. I don’t believe it was a bad stoppage. It’s a great honor for me.”
Post-victory, Pereira wasted no time in calling out former opponent Israel Adesanya, expressing a desire to renew their rivalry in the light heavyweight division. Pereira stated,
“This guy said he just wants to come back and fight in 2027. I think he’s a very talented guy. It’s a waste of talent so I want to rescue him too, to come here and fight. Adesanya, come to daddy.”
While eyeing the future with Adesanya, Pereira acknowledged former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill, who was present at the event. Pereira asserted,
“I’m an active fighter, now an active champion. I know Jamahal is injured so I don’t know if he’ll be back in time because I want to fight real soon.”
Pereira's victory not only etched his name in UFC history but also set the stage for potential blockbuster matchups, promising an exciting chapter in the light heavyweight division.